"I was married when I was 12. In those days girls should marry at an early age. I didn’t like my husband’s place and ran away and never returned. My father was so angry with me that I ran away and my mother convinced me to return but I did not listen to anyone. Then after a few days my husband’s family came to bring me back but I did not return. I would run up in the forest to hide and would come back in the evening but I would not go back to my home as those people would be waiting for me. I would go to sleep in my friend’s house. Finally they were tired and went back thinking that I might return but I never went back. People would say how will you live life without marrying and I would say I will work and live and everyone would say that was not in my destiny. Later on my family accepted and we both got divorced. He married someone and I am married to someone and living our life. Life is full of surprises, so always be ready for all the situations you need to face.”

Nardevi Bk, 61 years